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Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 3:58 pm
by Bilabonic
Hi All
I want to lay a concrete base onto compacted soil, it is only for walking on.
It is quite a large area and i plan on shuttering sections and pouring/smoothing it.
How thick does it need to be ?
Also at the correct thickness how much 'all in' will i need per square metre ??
Thanks
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 4:41 pm
by Carberry
Wouldnt go any less than 75mm
Cant tell you how much ballast you need when you haven't given us the area / volume.
Check here for calculators for various quantities:
http://www.pavingexpert.com/calcall.htm
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 4:57 pm
by Bilabonic
How much would a tonne loose cover approx, not measured it yet but i think it's about 30m2.
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 5:14 pm
by mike builder/landscaper
if my memory is correct, i think it is 2 ton of ballast to a cubic mtr of concrete
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:56 pm
by lutonlagerlout
6 tonnes 30 bags of cement @100mm thick
LLL
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:58 pm
by Bilabonic
Cheers LLL
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 9:09 pm
by Mikey_C
6 tonnes, not 6 dumpy bags which can weigh as little as .85 of a ton aka 850kg
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 9:19 pm
by Bilabonic
Mikey_C wrote:6 tonnes, not 6 dumpy bags which can weigh as little as .85 of a ton aka 850kg
Confused 
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 9:42 pm
by Carberry
Bilabonic wrote:Mikey_C wrote:6 tonnes, not 6 dumpy bags which can weigh as little as .85 of a ton aka 850kg
Confused
The bulk bags that are sold as '1 tonne' by builders merchants can weigh as little as 850kg. LLL and mikey are saying you need 6 tonnes, not 6 of these bags.
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 9:47 pm
by Bilabonic
Never knew that, so a tonne bagged is not an actual tonne ?
So how do you order a tonne of anything then !!!!
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 10:06 pm
by lutonlagerlout
I have a ticket in front of me bilbo
from d.h.loveday&son
tare weight of vehicle =11.6 tonnes
grossweight =31.6 tonnes
nett weight =20.3 tonnes
so i ordered 20 tonnes and i got 300kg FOC 
the bulk bags as has been said are often " light" but 6 tonnes loose will be cheaper tipped anyway
LLL
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 11:07 pm
by GB_Groundworks
to be fair they are sold as bulk backs its only an assumption they are 1ton, most are 0.5m3 bags which equalls about 900kg depending on the specific gravity of the material.
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 11:28 pm
by lutonlagerlout
1 sales manager told me they make them like that so that if you get a bulk bag and 6 bags of cement you are still ok with a 1 ton pickup :;):
LLL
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 8:35 pm
by Mikey_C
yes getting it tipped loose will probably be about half the price or less than bulk bags. however as it is "all in ballast" you will you get greater separation of fines and gravel due to the transportation process. However, it is either inexperience or the fact that your not bothered about quality that is stopping you fro getting that qty of concrete delivered by readymix or on site mixing lorries? From the previous posts I imagine it may be inexperience, in which case this post should lead you nicely into the question is readymix better and what is an on site mixing lorry?
especially as I am diy'er who was shovelled and mixed 5 ton of ballast, and wouldn't do it again!!!
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 8:47 pm
by rab1
for 5 cube ready mix is the way forward but be warned the driver will be a grumpy little tit. trust me on this they are all grumpy little tits. :;):